With a loud rumble, it was as if a bolt of lightning had struck straight from the sky. Qi Wang stood frozen and asked blankly, “What imperial marriage decree? Who am I being granted to?”
He was a son of heaven, the biological child of the favored Noble Consort Xiao Zou. In the palace, aside from the Crown Prince, none held a more exalted status or received more affection from the Emperor.
Emperor Yongchang had long poured all his guilt toward Zou Wangfei into pampering this son. He had always indulged him.
At seven years old, he was granted his title and fiefdom in Henan—one of the most fertile regions in the Central Plains. Though he had not yet gone to take up his fief, his personal guard had already been increased to fifty thousand!
Moreover, since he was unmarried, Emperor Yongchang allowed him to come and go freely from the palace, unwilling even to send him away to his territory.
With such overwhelming favor, how could he not harbor ambition?
The Crown Prince?
So what about the Crown Prince?!
If it hadn’t been for Empress Feng’s cunning and for the Feng family’s control over the capital’s defenses and command of the Imperial Guard, how could she have become empress?
As for the Crown Prince—sickly and weak, unable even to walk properly—what could he possibly accomplish?
The imperial throne was meant for someone with the blood of the Zou family!
With such a distinguished lineage, his future Wangfei should have been selected with utmost care.
At the very least, it should not have been decided so carelessly!
Xia Gongong still smiled pleasantly and said softly, “Your Highness, this humble servant is merely here to deliver the decree. If you’ll just receive it, you’ll know everything.”
Qi Wang took a deep breath and knelt swiftly.
Xia Gongong unfurled the decree and read it slowly: “By the Mandate of Heaven, His Majesty decrees: The Third Prince, Qi Wang, Xiao Ling, is a man of noble character, filial and accomplished in both literature and martial arts. Having now reached the age of majority, and seeing that Han Yue’e, daughter of the late fourth-rank general Han Zhibin of Shangqiu, Henan, has reached her coming-of-age ceremony and possesses a refined appearance and exceptional intellect, His Majesty hereby grants her as Wangfei to Qi Wang. All ceremonial matters shall be handled by the Ministry of Rites and the Directorate of Astronomy, and the wedding shall be held on an auspicious day.”
Qi Wang had once personally delivered imperial marriage decrees on behalf of the Emperor.
He had read out decrees like this many times.
But never once had one felt so foreign and revolting.
They actually gave him a girl like that—an orphan with no standing—as his Wangfei!
The decree had been announced, yet Qi Wang remained kneeling, seemingly forgetting to receive it.
Xia Gongong took a few steps forward and gently reminded him, “Your Highness, are you overjoyed? Even if you are, you must still accept the decree.”
Qi Wang snapped back to himself, forcefully suppressing the fury raging inside. He knew he had no choice but to accept—no matter how unwilling, refusing would be defying the imperial edict.
He forced a smile and raised both hands above his head to receive the decree. Then he stood and asked Xia Gongong with a raised brow, “Gonggong, do you know why this happened so suddenly?”
Logically, a Wangfei for him should have been thoroughly vetted, and with Noble Consort Xiao Zou being so favored, she should’ve heard about it in advance.
But this decree came out of nowhere—clearly something was off.
Xia Gongong merely smiled and replied, “Oh, Your Highness, this humble servant is just an eunuch. How could I comment on such matters?”
He wouldn’t give anything away. Of course not—this old eunuch had always been one of Emperor Yongchang’s closest confidants.
Qi Wang could only escort him out personally. Once back inside, his face darkened and he barked, “Investigate! I want everything thoroughly looked into!”
Eunuch Xu dared not delay, bowed low, and rushed off.
Qi Wang’s mood was foul. Once back in his study, he threw the decree aside and let out a cold laugh.
Marriage?! To h*ll with marriage!
Soon, Eunuch Xu returned hurriedly.
Qi Wang shot him a glance and said nothing.
Eunuch Xu understood at once—no need for small talk. He stepped forward and whispered, “Your Highness, Lady Han sneaked out earlier to find Censorate Minister Zhou. She knelt at the gate and begged him to help her return to the Qi family.”
After speaking, he watched Qi Wang’s expression carefully, then stepped aside without saying more.
The room fell deathly silent.
After a long pause, Qi Wang swept everything from the table—fine teacups and vases smashed on the ground with a loud crash.
Eunuch Xu trembled in fear. “Your Highness, please take care of your health!”
Good! Very good!
Cold light burst from Qi Wang’s eyes like an enraged wolf’s.
Han Yue’e, oh she was clever all right! She claimed to have done it all for him, to take all the blame herself.
But how could such a paltry trick deceive him?
She had clearly done it on purpose—to stir things up!
Now that the palace had suddenly issued an edict for marriage, he could see exactly why.
No one had ever dared scheme against him like this before!
The Qi family, Qi Yuan, Han Yue’e—they all deserved to die!
He asked coldly, “Where is Han Yue’e now?”
Eunuch Xu shivered. He knew what he was thinking and no longer dared play it safe. He quickly advised, “Your Highness! You are too valuable—why be angered by someone like that? This marriage is, after all, decreed by the Emperor. If you…”
If Qi Wang were to kill Han Yue’e now, the Emperor would be furious. And the court censors would drown him in scolding!
Qi Wang snorted, “Who said I would kill her?”
At that moment, Jinbao reported that Han Yue’e had returned.
Qi Wang walked out immediately.
Han Yue’e had just bathed and looked refreshed.
Lian’er knelt before her, applying medicine to her bruised knees. “Miss, your legs are badly hurt!”
Too much kneeling had left dark bruises.
But Han Yue’e was delighted. “What’s to fear? These are wounds of happiness. From today on…”
Before she could finish, the door was suddenly kicked open.
Startled, Han Yue’e saw Qi Wang standing at the door, his expression unreadable. She quickly stood. “Your Highness!”
Even though she had succeeded—and even though her words outwardly placed all blame on herself to protect Qi Wang—she knew in her heart that she had forced this marriage.
And Qi Wang surely knew that too.
She couldn’t help but grow nervous, clutching her clothes tightly and watching him.
Qi Wang entered slowly, then suddenly smiled.
Han Yue’e’s eyes widened in shock. “Your Highness…?”
Qi Wang spoke gently, “Father has already granted us marriage. From now on, we are betrothed. I told you before I would marry you, and I always keep my word.”
Han Yue’e was moved to tears. “Your Highness! I’m just an orphan girl—how could I possibly deserve to become your Wangfei?”
Qi Wang smiled, “Don’t say that. This marriage is the Emperor’s gift—what a great honor! Tomorrow I will enter the palace to give thanks. There are many things that can’t be prepared in time, so you should go out and see what you need to buy. Just let the household staff know.”
